Student Access: A Resource Guide for Educators. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc.

This collection of information pieces is intended to help school personnel make better decisions regarding compliance with, first, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and, second, with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is stressed that some students may have physical or mental conditions which entitle them to rights or protection under Section 504 even though they do not fall into IDEA categories. The collection includes: an IDEA/504 flow chart; a chart showing distinctions between 504 and IDEA eligible students; and a table comparing IDEA and Section 504. Most of the document consists of appended material covering: definitions under Section 504; discrimination under Section 504; Sample local school districts policy statements on Section 504 policy; a list of procedural safeguards/parent rights; a Section 504 Policy/Procedures Checklist; guidelines for parent/student rights in identification, evaluation and placement; times when school staff should consider handicap considerations; an appropriate questioning sequence when the existence of a handicapping condition is suspected; suggested classroom and facility accommodations; a student accommodation plan and a sample handout presenting information on Section 504. (DB)